There are More than 4000 Missing Persons in Chechnya

The above was presented by representatives of the organization “Memorial”, Natalya Estemirova and Shamil Tangiyev. They also mentioned that those figures were not final as the relatives of missing persons do not want to inform either the ICRC or law enforcement bodies or NGOs about facts of disappearances. During individual interviews with the relatives of missing persons it was found out that they avoid telling anyone about what happened, especially if their relative participated in military actions against federal troops. In this way they escape being pursued by power structures. Facts have been brought forth that even after informing the ICRC about the disappearance relatives were oppressed and illegally arrested. According to the representatives of “Memorial,” citizens forcedly disappear. In 2002 an interdepartmental commission was made up, which consisted of representatives from authorities, including law enforcement and power bodies, NGOs. Unfortunately, the commission only registers the facts of enforced disappearances but it does not register any facts of revealing and calling anyone to responsibility. The representatives of “Memorial” say that in Grozny officially function the Chernakozovo detention facility and temporary isolations in all administrative centers. But at the same time there are secret prisons where the representatives of ICRC don't have access. Besides the organization “Memorial” three other organizations deal with the issues of missing persons and enforced disappearances. Among them the most active one is the organization “Mothers of Chechnya.” The individual interview with relatives of missing persons showed that neither ICRC, nor state structures or NGOs have information on missing persons and enforced disappearances. Mass violence by authorities, unlawful lawsuits against illegally arrested people formed mistrust towards authorities. This cannot promote revealing circumstances of enforced disappearances and getting information on the fate and whereabouts of people. Any publicity on enforced disappearances by local media is also overlooked by authorities.

In Nazran (Ingushetia) during the talk with Ahmed Balakhoyev, representative of “Memorial”, it was found out that the cases of enforced disappearances spread in South Caucasus regions and it become of regional character. According to Taisia Isayeva, head of the information center CHO, publicity of cases of human rights violations and enforced disappearances in web-sites can cause oppressions by law enforcement bodies.

The editor of the newspaper “Chechenskoye Obshestvo” (“Chechen Society”) presented that the representatives of security service had been interested in the design of the internet page of the newspaper (it was funded by the British Embassy in Russia ).

There are 3 legal consultancy centers in Grozni. They provide protection of citizens' rights and responsibilities, and they support them to come out of difficult situations. The representatives of one of the centers stated that they did not take part in court processes and they did not send any message to authorities on the protection of citizens' rights. 18-20 persons visit the consultancy center daily.

On December 18-20, the coordinator of HCA Vanadzor was in Chechnya , in the city of Grozny by the invitation of the regional NGO “Sintem- ”

During his visit meetings were held in Grozny with representatives of NGOs and media with the aim of researching human rights, particularly the situation of missing persons and enforced disappearances in Chechnya . The meetings were held with the organizations “Memorial”- Grozny branch, “Positive”, with the editorial of the newspaper “Chechen Society”, with LAM center of dissemination and research of Chechen culture, CHO information center.

The experience of HCA Vanadzor in the direction of protecting the rights of missing persons and their relatives was presented, particularly expression of the principles of Geneva Conventions in the national legislation as an important guarantee for providing the right of relatives to get information on the fate and whereabouts of their missing one. It was mentioned that the issue of missing persons and enforced disappearances is very actual and contribution of joint efforts and implementation of actions became very necessary.

A. Sakunts